Romelu Lukaku receives mouthwatering Saudi offer

Romelu Lukaku, the Chelsea striker, has received a formal offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, potentially paving the way for him to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle East.

According to reports from GOAL, Lukaku traveled to Saudi Arabia on Monday to hold talks with Al-Hilal officials regarding the proposed transfer.

The club has presented the Belgian forward with a two-season contract worth an impressive €50 million (£43m/$54m).

Lukaku is set to return to Chelsea following his loan spell at Inter, where he spent the 2022-23 season. It has been reported that Inter lacks the financial means to secure a permanent deal for Lukaku.

Furthermore, Chelsea’s new manager, Mauricio Pochettino, is reportedly willing to give the striker another opportunity at Stamford Bridge.

Despite these options, Lukaku has expressed his openness to a move to Al-Hilal. However, the 30-year-old aims to negotiate an even higher salary, as he seeks substantial financial rewards if he is to forgo European football.

If Al-Hilal reaches an agreement with Lukaku, they will need to engage in direct negotiations with Chelsea. The Blues are open to selling Romelu Lukaku as they look to trim their squad ahead of the upcoming season, but they are likely to demand a fee exceeding €50 million.

While Al-Hilal is reportedly hesitant to meet this valuation, they are willing to explore potential compromises with Chelsea in order to finalize the deal.

Although Lukaku has expressed a desire to remain at Inter, the Italian giants’ ability to retain him for another season appears uncertain. The allure of financial gains in Saudi Arabia may prove too enticing for Lukaku to resist, especially considering Ronaldo’s groundbreaking move to Al-Nassr in December.

Ronaldo’s former teammate Karim Benzema has also departed Real Madrid to join Al-Ittihad, while Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante is reportedly on the verge of completing a move to the Saudi Pro League champions.

As negotiations progress, the football world eagerly awaits further developments regarding Romelu Lukaku’s potential move to Al-Hilal.

The transfer, if realized, would add another high-profile name to the growing list of notable players attracted to the Middle East, highlighting the increasing appeal of Saudi Arabian football.